8/4. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1423 — Surahs Recited in Witr Prayer
What Should Be Recited In Witr
Witr Prayer Surahs: What the Prophet Recited
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1423
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1423
حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو حَفْصٍ الأَبَّارُ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُوسَى، أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَنَسٍ، - وَهَذَا لَفْظُهُ - عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ طَلْحَةَ، وَزُبَيْدٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبْزَى، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُوتِرُ بِـ { سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى } وَ { قُلْ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا } وَاللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الصَّمَدُ .
Ubayy bin Ka'b Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to observe witr with (reciting) "Glorify the name of thy Lord, the most High" (Surah 87), "Say O disbelievers" (Surah 109), and "Say, He is Allah, the One, Allah, the eternally besought of all" (112).
[1] Al-'Ala (87).[2] Referring to Sūrat Al-Kāfirūn (109).[3] Referring to Sūrat Al-Ikhlāṣ (112).Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1423In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 8English translation : Book 8, Hadith 1418
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1423
This hadith about witr prayer focuses on Qur'an recitation in witr. Ubayy ibn Ka'b reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to observe witr while reciting Surah Al-A'la, Surah Al-Kafirun, and Surah Al-Ikhlas. The report gives a clear practice linked to witr prayer surahs. It does not discuss every possible recitation. It simply tells us what he used to recite in this narration. For someone searching which surah to read in witr, this hadith points to three short and well-known chapters. The message is easy: witr is not only an ending prayer of the night, but also a time for meaningful Qur'an recitation.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) recited named surahs in witr.
- Surah Al-A'la, Al-Kafirun, and Al-Ikhlas are mentioned in this report.
- Witr includes prayer and Qur'an recitation together.
